Monday

Nation, Bangkok

President Obama styles himself as America's first Pacific president. On Sunday he combined both cultural elements and a formal meeting to reaffirm the importance of Thailand in the United States' strategic "pivot to Asia." Making Thailand the first stop in his first post-election tour was "no accident," Obama told a press conference, emphasizing the importance of one of the United States' oldest allies, and of the Asia-Pacific, to the future of world security and prosperity. The visit, he stressed, was meant to boost political and economic ties with countries in the region.

Temple tour

President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton were taken by the beauty of Wat Pho, the first place they visited shortly after their arrival in Thailand. A monk led Obama and Clinton on a tour of the temple. Clinton was told the Buddha was a symbol of peace and success. She said she would return with her husband, Bill, to show him the temple.

Tuesday

Straits Times, Singapore

Historic visit

President Obama, the first sitting American president to visit Burma, told an audience at Rangoon University during his short historic trip that the United States will support Burma "every step of the way" as it continues on its "remarkable journey" of economic and political reform. Obama, who was met by thousands of well-wishers waving Burmese and American flags, also met democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi at her lakeside home. She acknowledged that the U.S. president's visit would ensure that bilateral ties progress.

Honest cabbie

Sia Ka Tiano, 70, a Singapore cab driver, found $1.1 million Singapore dollars ($898,000) in cash in a black paper bag in the back of his taxi Monday - and returned it. The money belonged to a vacationing Thai couple. "The money is unimportant to me. It doesn't belong to me, so how can I use it," he told The Strait Times. In 2009, a driver for the same Singapore cab company turned in 11 pounds of gold bars worth $U.S. 308,000.

Wednesday

Guardian, London

No historic steps

The Church of England Tuesday plunged into its gravest crisis in a decade after legislation that would have allowed female clergy to become bishops sweeping away centuries of entrenched sexism was rejected by just six votes. The result of 12 years of debate and more than three decades of campaigning was defeated by lay members, prompting one bishop to warn that the church risked becoming "a national embarrassment." The legislation needed two-thirds majority in each house of synod to pass. The vote was 132 in favor and 74 against.

Child abuse

As many as 45 children a day are at risk of rape, violence and sexual exploitation at the hands of gangs who prey on their vulnerability, according to a new study by the government's Office of the Children's Commissioner. The agency's deputy commissioner, Sue Berelowitz, said the report is a "wake-up" call. "There is no doubt that children are slipping through the net right now across England," she said.

Thursday

Haaretz, Tel Aviv

Cease-fire

Following eight days of the fiercest fighting in nearly four years between Israel and Hamas, and a concerted diplomatic effort led by Egypt and the United States to end the fighting, a cease-fire came into effect Wednesday night. Under a memorandum of understanding reached in Egypt, the cease-fire will be under the patronage of the Egyptian government, which will oversee its implementation. President Obama followed the talks and pressured Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reply positively to the Egyptian proposal. According to the understanding, Israel agreed to stop attacks on Gaza - by land, sea or air - and halt assassinations of the heads of Palestinian militant groups. A senior diplomatic source, however, said that if Israel identifies preparations for an attack from the Gaza Strip, it reserves the right to self-defense and will act to thwart it. Also, Hamas and other Palestinian organizations promised to stop all attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip, including rocket fire and border attacks.

Friday

National, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sweeping powers

Egypt President Mohammed Morsi sacked the prosecutor general, ordered a retrial of officials appointed by former president Hosni Mubarak and placed himself above judicial oversight. Morsi's decrees came as thousands of protesters, who say he and his Muslim Brotherhood are seizing too much power, gathered in Cairo for a fourth day. Morsi's decrees also give him the power to deal with any threat to the revolution, national unity, safety or state institutions.

New swagger

Hamas has emerged from its diplomatic isolation after eight days of hostilities with Israel. Its leaders took center stage during truce negotiations brokered by Egypt. "It's credibility, diplomatic stature and popularity have increased," said Zakaria al Qaq, professor of security studies at Jerusalem's Al Quds University.